
Originally Posted by
griffin
But Optimus Prime in the original cartoons and comics was our Generation's Superman - he stood for everything that was right, and taking a life was a last-resort... even to the point of sacrificing his own life if it was the honourable thing to do (Marvel Gen1 #24).
If a new Superman movie was produced that had him killing offenders, or even trying to kill Lex Luthor, there would be an outrage, because that is not the "pure" character that Superman stands for that inspired so many kids (and some grown-ups).
You trust him because he has never broken that faith in him.
The character of Optimus Prime in probably every incarnation before Bay got his hands onto it, was similarly one that fans could look up to, as a "hero" who never compromised his honour to defeat the enemy.
To Bay, Optimus was just another "wild west, gun-toting American".